Reviews this time around were greatly improved. I can't tell y'all how much I love to say that. As promised, here's my lovely little update, in which you will finally find out if Miroku lives or not. Granted, nothing's certain yet, but this should do much to appease your curiosity, gentle readers. Also, just to warn you, there's some serious innuendo in this chapter, so be prepared. This chapter uses the song 'Haunted' off of the album 'Fallen' by my favorite band of three years, Evanescence.

Disclaimer: the lyrics featured in this songfic are by no means of my creation. I'm merely borrowing them, and the characters involved, in order to create an angsty, sexy fic, which will hopefully bring me many raving reviews from hot-and-bothered readers.

Long lost words whisper slowly to me.

What is this voice in my head…? Miroku wondered groggily as his ears pounded with the noise. He couldn't be certain how long he'd been floating in this dismal black nothingness, but now the void around him was being penetrated by some incessant sound. The noise was familiar to him, calling a name that he recognized, but every time his mind came close to understanding what the voice was saying, the knowledge slipped away like a seashell swept off in the tide.

A strange feeling was swallowing him now, filling his entire body with light. He felt the broken bonds in his fragile form come together again; his mind and soul reconnected with the previously empty shell. Miroku gasped wildly as his eyes suddenly snapped open, forcing life into him. His heart seemed to explode with pain as it suddenly started beating again, frantic in his chest. The monk clutched at his heart and throat, struggling to comprehend this new life charging through his veins. What happened to me to put me in this state? Everything was so calm before, but now there's nothing but burning light.

Miroku realized vaguely that the painful light was a fresh, dawning sun. The human gazed down at himself confusedly. His robes were soaked, his hair had come undone, he was covered with sand, and…he was still alive…

"Miroku." The monk nearly jumped out of his skin as he heard his name being called. That's the sound I heard when I was buried in that blackness… Miroku's thought trailed off and he raised his eyes, following the direction of the sound to its source.

His eyes widened with a mixture of fear and reverence as he stared up at the creature towering over him. The new rays of dawn cascaded over Sesshoumaru like a golden blanket, bathing him in sparkling light. His eyes blazed with an emotion that made Miroku shiver slightly, and his angelic face held a smirk that belied his innocent appearance.

Still can't find what keeps me here.

"Welcome back, Miroku," Sesshoumaru purred, making heat rise up in the human's cheeks. The second the demon's words reached his ears, Miroku suddenly realized what must have happened. His eyes darted to Sesshoumaru's right hand, and sure enough, the mystical healing sword Tenseiga was there and glowing with youki.

"You…saved me…" Miroku whispered brokenly, eyes fixed on the sword in his lover's hand.

"No need to thank me." Sesshoumaru suddenly sheathed his sword and knelt beside Miroku, taking the human's chin in his hand and tilting it up until their eyes met.

Miroku knew the youkai intended to kiss him and tore his chin ruefully away. "What makes you think I'm going to thank you? I didn't want to be saved!" The human turned his face away to hide his blush. He'd gone into that lake for a reason…he hadn't intended to return. Of course, he thought silently, that was a stupid decision made out of agitation and distress… I'm glad I didn't succeed. He shuddered at the thought of what would have happened if Sesshoumaru hadn't appeared. Nonetheless, he hated the thought of the proud demon lord seeing him in such a state. He was so embarrassed he wished he could sink into the sand below him. I'm just another pathetic human after all…

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed in slight annoyance, and he grabbed the human's chin again, forcing Miroku to look at him. The demon could read many different emotions in his lover's eyes: anguish, shame, disappointment…and a hint of deceit. "There's something you're keeping from me," Sesshoumaru stated blandly, leaving no room for argument. "I know you're not stupid enough to end your life for no reason. Why did you try? Was it Inuyasha who upset you enough to lead you to such an extreme?"

Miroku had to force his mouth not to drop open in surprise. The lovely inu youkai had read him more easily than any other had before. He might as well have shouted his innermost thoughts to the heavens. Sesshoumaru smirked at his surprised look and bent down to whisper silkily in his ear, "I've been looking for you all night, my little human. How do you think I found you here? I stopped by the camp of my useless brother first and heard him arguing with those females about you. Tell me…what did he say to you?"

The demon could guess fairly well what Inuyasha had said from the pained expression that suddenly came over the monk's handsome face. It was something Miroku was obviously reluctant to reveal. Sesshoumaru's mouth hardened into a thin line as all manner of strange emotions came rushing into him. He hated the hurt in Miroku's eyes, hated the haunted look that clouded those once brilliant pools. The human looked hollow and filled with anguish.

When all this time I've been so hollow inside.

In that moment, Sesshoumaru wasn't really certain what he felt. His apathy was quickly melting away, but his pride refused to relinquish it completely. He wanted to kill Inuyasha for causing Miroku so much hurt, but he wanted to kill Miroku for any number of reasons: for making his heart flutter so, for making him lust after a human, for making him question himself for the first time in years, for frightening him beyond all reason when he saw the human's body lying in the middle of the lake…. Even though he knew the monk was still here on earth with him, he felt this need to clutch Miroku to his chest and never let him go.

I know you're still there.

Watching me, wanting me.

Miroku had to turn away from the heat of Sesshoumaru's eyes on him. His spine was overcome with chills every time those lustrous golden eyes turned their passionate gaze on him. The human felt comforted by the inu youkai's presence every bit as much as he felt threatened by it. He cared for Sesshoumaru as deeply as he despised him for upsetting his previously tranquil life. Yet, through it all, he could not bring himself to regret the demon or their haphazard shell of a relationship. He wished above all else that he had the strength to pull himself out of the dark, seductive pit that Sesshoumaru had dragged him into.

I can feel you pull me down.

"Miroku…" Sesshoumaru cupped his chin again and pulled the monk into a sitting position, "you still haven't answered my question." Miroku flushed the tiniest bit, still not recovered enough from his near-death experience to manage a proper blush. What did Sesshoumaru expect him to say? He couldn't just come out and tell the demon that he'd confessed his love for him to his half-brother. Miroku didn't think those words would ever be able to pass his lips in Sesshoumaru's presence…'I love you.' It just didn't seem possible.

On top of that, the Taiyoukai would be furious with Inuyasha for turning Miroku aside and nearly getting him killed. The human understood his demon lover's aggressive nature well. He probably looked at Miroku as nothing more than territory, and Inuyasha had crossed the borderline into somewhere he didn't belong. If the monk ever pinpointed Inuyasha as the reason for his foolish death wish, his former best friend would experience the full wrath of the Lord of the Western Lands. As upset with the hanyou as Miroku was, he couldn't wish something like that on anyone.

Fearing you, loving you.

I won't let you pull me down.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," Miroku began, hesitating. "I…I can't tell you what happened back at Inuyasha's camp. It's a private matter between my best friend and myself. I hope…I hope you understand." The human braced himself, ready for Sesshoumaru to launch an acidic verbal attack, or possibly even a physical one. But the onslaught never came. Miroku glanced over at Sesshoumaru to find the inu studying him closely. His face was as cool and composed as ever, adding to his otherworldly beauty.

Sesshoumaru's mouth suddenly twitched into a shadow of a smile. "I understand."

Miroku blinked with surprise at the demon lord's words. "You do?"

The youkai nodded. "I do. This time."

A hint of a threat lingered in Sesshoumaru's words, and Miroku did not miss its meaning. In the future, the demon would expect answers from him, and he would expect them promptly. This time, however, it was Miroku's turn to ask a question. "Why were you looking for me? I can't even remember how long it's been since…" The monk's face flooded with color as he suddenly recalled what had happened between them during their last meeting. Sesshoumaru seemed to remember, too, from the look of the satisfied smirk on his face.

"I went searching for you for a very simple reason," the demon responded, his smirk widening minutely at the apprehensive look that came over Miroku's face. The human's thoughts were so easy to read at times…. "I have been having these…cravings lately. I was hoping you could do something to appease them." Miroku's body shivered involuntarily when he heard the subtle lust in the Taiyoukai's words. Sesshoumaru had always had that kind of power over him—the ability to arouse him with the simplest of words or touches. What he failed to realize, however, was that Sesshoumaru's passion for him had obviously evolved to include a new emotion. The hungry look in his golden eyes was no longer just a hunger for flesh. The demon had craved Miroku's company every bit as much as his body.

Miroku was too busy avoiding Sesshoumaru's gaze to notice this, however, and merely blushed ever brighter. Of course that's why he came searching for me. That's the only reason Sesshoumaru ever wants to see me—to use my body. I guess I should be grateful I threw myself at him, otherwise I'd be dead right now. Somehow, these morbid thoughts did not comfort Miroku. If anything, they made him determined to leave this encounter with his dignity intact. With a sudden burst of confidence, Miroku rose fluidly to his feet, brushed the sand from his robes, and managed to neatly tie his hair back up. He'd left his Buddhist staff back at the clearing with Inuyasha, but he supposed he could do without it for now. He turned to Sesshoumaru and stared at the floor as he said, "I thank you for saving my life, Sesshoumaru-sama. I was foolish to try and end it. At the moment, I'd like to get some rest and recover my strength. Perhaps we'll see each other again after that."

In one amazing display of willpower, Miroku turned around strode straight from the clearing, eyes still riveted on the ground. If he'd looked at Sesshoumaru's beautiful face even once, he knew he wouldn't have been able to leave. His mouth morphed into a triumphant smile the second he was far enough from Sesshoumaru to no longer sense his commanding presence. "Yatta!" he exclaimed under his breath, strangely proud of himself. He'd managed to defy the powerful spell Sesshoumaru had over him, though for how long he couldn't tell. The monk shook his head, clearing out all thoughts of the demon. "As much as I loathe to go near water right now, what I really need is a bath. The smell of his youki is still clinging to me. If it stays on long, I'll find myself wandering back to him."

Hunting you, I can smell you—Alive.

Back at the lake, Sesshoumaru was still sitting by the water's edge, as motionless as a figure carved from pure ivory. He couldn't understand why Miroku had walked away from him…after everything Sesshoumaru had gone through to save him. The Taiyoukai supposed Miroku was still recovering from his brush with death and whatever Inuyasha had said to upset him so fiercely. "Leave while you can, little human." A cruel smirk passed over Sesshoumaru's lips. "You can never escape me for long. Your flesh has been one with my flesh—your heart with my heart. I can sense it every time my presence makes your heart flutter. I feel you in everything I do. You will not be alone for long…."

Your heart pounding in my head.

Miroku let out a high-pitched yelp as he plunged into the icy cold river, shivering immediately. His robes had been carefully washed and hung on a nearby tree branch, and now it was his turn. The monk had been reluctant to enter the water at first, but upon realizing how foolish he was being, he'd decided to jump right in. And now, here he stood, his arms wrapped tightly around his naked, trembling body as he waded in until the water covered his waist.

He stood still for a few minutes, waiting for his body to adjust, and then slowly eased the rest of himself into the water. He plunged his head under quickly, ripping the tie from his hair, then immediately stood up again, restraining yet another yelp as the cold hit him like a brick wall. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea…Miroku shoved his impromptu thoughts aside and began the process of cleaning himself as quickly as possible.

He became so absorbed in the act, he hardly noticed the flash of youki in the air until it was snuffed so suddenly it had obviously been masked. Miroku stiffened, freezing in place. Did I really just feel…? He stopped. He knew what he'd felt. There was definitely a demon nearby, one powerful enough to mask his demonic energy. Miroku was a split second away from running to the shore and grabbing his clothing, when suddenly he realized the brief flash of youki was familiar to him….

"Sesshoumaru?" The human jerked with surprise when he heard his voice say what had been in his thoughts. He hadn't actually intended to say the name aloud, but now that he had it hung in the air like barbed wire, tense and ready to shred everything in its path. Miroku's eyes carefully scanned the shoreline. He could see no sign that anything had changed since he'd begun his bath, but that of course meant nothing. He began to wonder if he'd imagined the abrupt flash of demonic energy, or that he could be wrong in guessing who it belonged to…but…something just didn't feel right.

A chill slipped up his spine that had nothing to do with the cold. Before Miroku could convince himself of his own paranoia, he felt a hungry gaze slide over his flesh, as if someone watched him from the shadows. The gaze was as hot and tangible as an actual hand.

Watching me, wanting me.

Miroku froze again, unsure of what to do. Should he say something? Should he demand that the onlooker reveal himself? Should he run for his clothes? The monk debated for no more than an instant, finding himself completely unable to concentrate as long as he remained under the heat of the eyes on his body. "Sesshoumaru…" he whispered, knowing in his heart that it was his lover who watched him from the shadows. In a way, the demon was being kind to him. He knew the monk needed space and was respecting that, though not in the traditional way….

In truth, all he was doing was making Miroku feel raped.

I can feel you pull me down.

Saving me, raping me.

The demon had saved him, only to plunge Miroku back into the deep waters of despair. He hated this feeling of being spied on against his will, hated the helplessness that came with it. Most of all, however, he hated the fact that knowing Sesshoumaru was watching him was enough to arouse him.

Miroku's cheeks flamed up as he felt a familiar hardness growing between his legs. There was nothing he could do to stop it at this point; his thoughts had already carried him away into one of the most erotic fantasies he'd ever had. What would it be like if Sesshoumaru were with me right now? he wondered as his hand began to slide slowly down his stomach. Would it be anything like the last time we met? Would it be better? Would he kiss me, touch me, make love to me? Would he make me scream?

Miroku shuddered as his fingers brushed against his arousal, already stiff and engorged with blood thanks to his thoughts. For a moment, the monk forgot the fact that he was being watched and gently stroked himself, eyes fluttering shut as soft moans escaped from his lips. "Sesshoumaru…" Miroku whispered again, gritting his teeth as his touches became more demanding. He could see what the demon would do to him, could envision it perfectly in his mind's eye. Sesshoumaru's silky hair would brush against his bare flesh, his hands would caress every inch of him, his mouth would delve into his so deeply….

Miroku moaned again, louder, and took a nearly brutal grip on himself as he began to pick up speed. With the way his thoughts were going, he wouldn't last much longer. "Sesshoumaru!" he cried again, panting and gasping with need. He imagined it was his lover touching him this way, his mouth enveloping him and sucking on him powerfully. He could see Sesshoumaru's vivid eyes as they gazed up at him with burning passion. He could imagine what those full lips would look like wrapped around his arousal…bringing him so much pleasure…

With a cry, Miroku finally reached his peak, shouting his love's name with wanton abandon. He collapsed into the water a moment later, no longer feeling the cold. His body was shaking and his breath came in short gasps. He'd done that to himself plenty of times before…but never had it been so…real.

Miroku had been too caught up in his pleasure to hear that a similar cry had joined his at the moment of release. Sesshoumaru lay on a tree branch not far from where Miroku had hung his clothes, breathing heavily from the force of his own release. He'd only intended to watch Miroku in order to make sure he was safe…but then…

The human had started touching himself. And he'd moaned Sesshoumaru's name again and again while doing it. The demon's groin had flamed immediately up in response to his lover's actions, and he'd found himself unable to resist the immense pleasure waiting for him. His eyes had been riveted on Miroku the entire time, unable to look away as nimble fingers danced along Sesshoumaru's hard length. It had to have been the most erotic sight the inu youkai had ever seen.

He sighed with frustration as his body willed him to get more. Even now, as he watched Miroku panting in the water, struggling to recover from his orgasm, Sesshoumaru was growing hard again. The last thing he needs right now is to be crowded, he reminded himself, though his eyes lingered on Miroku's naked body for a long minute afterwards. In the end, Sesshoumaru slid stealthily from his tree branch and was gone in an instant, convinced to return to his lover as soon as possible and make love to him properly.

Watching me.

To be continued.

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